North Island raids have delivered rich rewards this year for Canterbury mare Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who collected her second black-type prize in the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Ears Back is trained in Rangiora by her part-owner John Blackadder, who previously took her north in the autumn for a pair of feature assignments. The Jakkalberry mare ran a close fifth in the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham, then broke through in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui at the end of May.
Blackadder quickly mapped out a plan for a return visit to the North Island in the new season, targeting Saturday’s $100,000 feature second-up after a promising resuming run for sixth at Riccarton on August 30.
It all came together on Saturday as Ears Back secured the biggest win of her career.
“This is probably the biggest thrill of my life, apart from family,” Blackadder said. “I’m just absolutely ecstatic to be here and to win this race.”
Ears Back was reunited on Saturday with Central Districts jockey Mereana Hudson, who had her first two rides on the mare in the Rangitikei Cup and AGC Training Stakes.
Hudson took up a position on the outside of the front-running Privy Garden before throwing down a challenge to that rival with more than 600m remaining. Ears Back surged past and took a clear lead coming up to the home turn, then kicked hard at the top of the straight.
Privy Garden stuck on bravely just behind her, with Knock Off and Boomtown Boy powering home with big late runs out of the pack, but there would be no catching Ears Back. She crossed the finish line with three-quarters of a length to spare over Knock Off, who edged out Boomtown Boy by a nose for second.
Ears Back has now had 39 starts for nine wins, six placings and $344,510 in stakes.
“She’s just marvellous, and I think she’s continuing to get better with age,” Blackadder said. “She’s just grown another leg.
“It was just brilliant today. I thought the other horse had a reasonably soft lead, but Mereana obviously knew what was underneath her. She gave her a great ride.
“I’d like to thank all the staff and all the owners. I’m just so proud of the horse and this win today really means a lot.” Blackadder indicated during the week that the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera on October 4 could be Ears Back’s next target.